Spark-plug.



0. RICKMEYER.V

SPARK PLUG. APPLIGAQTION FILED EEB. 18, 1914.

* Patented Mar; 16, 191.5. zsHEBTs-SHEET 1, v

wilt/naw 5mm 0. RIGKMEYER.

SPARK PLUG.

APPLICATION FILED 1213.18, 1914.

Patented Mar. 16, 1915.

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UNITED s'rnns;

oTTo RICKMEYER, or MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN.'

Specification of Letters Patent.A Patented Rial. 16, 1915.

Application filed February 18, 1914. Serial N o. 819,537.

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Be it known that I, O'r'ro Riomrnrnn, a subject of the Emperor of Germany, residing 'at lllilivaukediu the county ofMilu-'aukee and' State of lVisconsin, have invented .new and useful Improvements 'inf Sparkellugsfof which the following is a f specincation.

The primary purpose of the invention is the provision of mechanical means for keeping the lpoints of sparkplugs in prime condition thereby insuring positive and certain action of the ignition` system of internal cnnbustion engines embodying an electric igniter for the gaseous mixture.

Une of the chief diiiculties experienced in the operation of electrically ignited internal combustion engines is due to the fouling of the points between which the spark gap is formed, such foullng resulting from a deposit of carbon upon the pol-nts thereby re! tarding the action of the spark.

In accordance with this invention the' points of the spark plug are kept free from any matter which would tend to vfeul, the

saine, such means being operated automatically either by vibration, the action o f compression, eXplosion or intake of the fuel or'- from any cause Which Would tend to produce movement and cause the cleaning devices to move with reference to the electrodes or points, whereby any tendency' of matter to accumulate upon such points is Wholly coun teracted and prevented.

The invention consists of a cleaner mounted upon each electrode of the spark plug in a manner to move thereon so as to remove all trace of 'carbon or other matterv that may tend to deposit uponthe electrode and interfere with the-free action of -the spark gap.

The invention consists of the novel fead turcs, details of construction and combination of parts, which hereinafter .Will be more particularly setl forth, illustrated and claimed.

-In the drawings hereto attached LTFigure 1 1s a side view of'a spark plug provided Vwith cleaning means for the points embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a horizontal section on the line -m of Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section on the line g/-g/ of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a perspectiveview of one of the cleaning devices. lFig. 5 is a view in elevation of one of thel cleaning devices as seen from the side, provided with the intersecting 'longitudinal and transverse grooves. Fig.'6

is a View in elevation of a modiiication. Fig. 7 is a horizontal section on the line .e-e of Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a horizontal section on the line fw-/w of Fig. 46. Fig. 9 is a central longitudinal section of one of the-cleaning devices of the modification shown in Fig. 6.4

Fig. 10-is a perspective View of one of the l cleaning devices of the mod'iiication.

Corresponding and like parts are-referred to in the following description, and indicated in all the views of thc drawing, by the same reference characters. v

\ The spark plug -illustrated is of the type usually employed in the operation of internal combustion engines, utilizing an electric from the sliell or body by means of the One member of each electrode usual core. constitutes the point or element of the spark gap. Each electrode' is provided with a cleaning device 3 which consists of a block that is sldably mounted upon the electrode so as to prevent any accumulation of fouling matter thereon. The block or body .of the cleaning device has scrapingl edges which come in -Contact with and remove any matter depositing upon the electrode. The shape or manner of constructing the cleaning device isunimportant Within'the purviewof the invention so long as the cleaning device is mounted upon the electrode to move thereon automatically and keep the same clean or free from any matterivhich would ordinarily tend to foul the point and interfere with the free passage of the spark. In the preferred .arrangement the cleaning device has a twofold movement upon the electrode, the one longitudinally thereof, and the other rotary. -lnasmuch as both -cleaning devices are of like Vformation a detail description of one will suiiice for ay clear understanding of each. A groove 4 is formed longitudinally in a side of the body 3 and the faces 5 adjacent the groove 4 are oppositely inclined to form scraping edges G. The scraping edges (l extend lengthwise of the body and operatewhen such body turns uponthe electrode, thereby removing any matter that may deposit upon such electrode opposite the groove 4f.A A transverse groove 7 is formed in the body midway of its ends and llG intersects with the longitudinal groove 4, thereby forming transverse 'scraping edges. Other scraping edges are formed at the ends of the body where such ends intersect with the sides of the longitudinal groove 4. The longitudinal groove L1- receives that part of the electrode bordering upon the spark gap. Anopening S is formed in the body 3 and extends lengthwise thereof, parallel with the 'groove 4f, such opening being eX tended transversely and formed on the arc of a circle whose center coincides with the taken of the force rendered by compression,

explosion and the inrush of the gases, and such force may be supplementary to the re- -sult from shock, jar or vibration. The open sides of the longitudinal grooves 4 are arranged so as to face each other and therebyl prevent obstructing the adjacent sides of the electrodesvbetween which the spark gap is formed so that the spark may have an unobstructed passage.

In the modification shown in Fig. 6 and in the detail views thereof the electrode 9 is straight, whereas the electrode 10 has a return portion 11 in line with the electrode 9. The spark gap is formed between the points or terminals of the alining elements 9 and 11. The cleaning devices are of like formation, each consisting of a body 12 hav- Aing a longitudinal opening 13 a'n'd a transverse slot 14, which intersects 'with the opening 13. A crimp 15 formed in the alining portion of each electrode is arranged within the slot 1 4 and constitutes a stop to limit the longitudinal movement of the cleaning device .upon the electrode. The end of the opening 13 adjacent the spark gap is con'- intended to receive the force resulting from compression, explosion and the inrush` of the gases. The cleaning devices `are likewise of suiiicient weight to operate effectively from vibration, shock or jar to which the engine is subjected when in service.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, the advantages of the construction and of the method 'of operation will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention appertains, and while I have described the principle of operation of the invention, together with the device which I now consider to be the best embodiment thereof, I desire to have it understood that the device shown is merely illustrative, and thatsuch changes may be made when desired as are within the scope of the invention as claimed.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. In a spark plug and in combination with anuelectrode thereof, a cleaning device mounted on such electrode and comprising a body having intersecting longitudinal and 'transverse openings forming a plurality of scraping edges, the transverse opening eX- tending through and intersecting the side face of the body.

2. l'n a spark plug and in combination ,with an electrode thereof, avcleaning device mounted on such electrode and free to turn and move longitudinally thereon, such cleaning device consisting of a body having intersecting longitudinal and transverse openings forming a plurality of scrapingedges, the transverse .opening extending through and intersecting the side face of the body.

In testimony whereof I aiiX my' signature in presence of two witnesses.

OTTO RICKMEYER. Witnesses:

J. G. WAGNER, YV. H. TRIEGHLER.

Copies oilthis patent may be obtained for ave cents each, byladdressing the Commissioner of Eatets.

Washington, D. d3. v 

